Arizona weekly enterprise., 1887-05-28
PICKWICKIAN TERMS.
A PROFESSOR OF BELLES-LETTREs GIVES A HISTORY OF THEIR USE.

Slang Not So Worthy of Unqualified Con- tlemnation ss Many People Suppose.
 How Everyday Idioms Give Scope to
 an Inventive Fancy.
 ''The everyday idioms of the English language commonly called slang are not so worthy of unqualified condemnation Gs many prudish people suppose, |" observed professor of belles-lettres to a reporter the other day.
 ''They have direct, flgurative signifl- canoe and give scope to an inventive fancy. For example, the expression You make me tired,' indicates to q shade the feeling of lassitude inflicted by bore. Again, What are you giving us?' is merely a figurative way of expressing i1cTelluiity.L Many -sanGnI4 4aEy-eefffiicrs have doubtless been aveTted' by its use, as the rugged, synonymous phrase, You arc lying, sirr has been known to give offense to certain eccentric persons. Many slang phrases are the embodiment of polite spirit. When you arc out with the boys and exhibit in meteoric flashes the slum- bering hilarity in your nature, to be told that you are intoxicated strikes 0 sensi- tive chord in your breast; but to be ac- costed with What an elegant load you have got brings Q smile of assent and sat isfactiOn to your countenance every time. Gentlemen never acknowledge to being drunk. It is 'still' or jag they have on. The word drunk applies only to tramps. They are synonymous terms. Every acute intellect will recognize this subtle shade of meaning.
 Gentlemen of pugihstic proclivities are very careful in their language. They ap- preciate the modifying effects of slang idioms and are particular to employ them in speaking of their encounters. Who ever heard 6 champion of the ring say that he gave his antagonist black eye or bloody nose? He prefers, in q spirit of chivalry, more elegant terms, and will say that he closed peeper or tapped the claret. If he knocks his opponent down se will say corsiderately that he sent him to grass If he gains victory he will not injure the feelings of the vanquished party by boasting that he thrashed him, but will pour balm upon his wounds by stating politely that he done him up
 DRAWN STILL FURTHER.
 ''The parallel between slang phrases and rugged English, continued the pro lessor, may be drawn stif further. Nc man is so devoid of fine feeling as tc acknowledge that he has pawned an article. It is less shocking to hint with ( wink that his uncle has it, or that it is in 'hoclz, or even that he has hung it up. These expressions exhibit the deed from ( humorous point of view. In all walks of lifC we find this same endeayor at politeness A thief is called fly man or crook, { bribe taBer is called 'boodler' ant swindlers are called 'bunco steerers' an( 'sawdust men, This is as it should be The English language, devoid of it's figura tive idioms, is simply brutal This ac counts for the birth of tke word dude It is far more elegant than it's synonym fool The ruthless small boy might hesi tate ct the latter, but the former he car shout out at the top of his lungs whenever some trifle of humanity may be blow1 across his path.
 "A slang term that has peculiar signifl canoe is 8 chippy chaser This isapplied tt the prosecutors of honorable working girls They stand upon the street corners unti some pretty girls pass by, and then follow l them block after block talking in a lout voice and otherwise annoying them. It i | gratifying to know that they are general, l left This last expression is applicabl, to those who fail to attain the objects O their desires. The 'chippy chaser, if sue cessful in making the clardestine ac | quaintance he seeks, and in making a1 | appointment for some future evening, is as rule, stood up. This means, in un vanished English, that he stands for hou after hour at the appointed place awaitin. the arrival of the expected female, proba bly, in Q violent rain or snow storm, for 'chippy chaser never gives up hope, whil the honest girl is probably sleeping in he bed.
 'IIere again the politeness of slam idioms is demonstrated The synonym o 'chippy chaser is the pitiable word idiot, which is rather an unpleasant soundin; term to be applied to a young man. Tn inventor Of this idiom merits the heart, thanks of the brotherhood
 1t is obvious,' remarked the professo in conclusion, from the foregoing exposi tion that our slang originates from tn innate delicacy of feeling which is characteristic of Americans from tn small boy up. The English language when plainly spoken, is harsh and iarrin, and contains many unpleasant words Men of fine feeling naturally expres themselves in Q figurative, or, to be les scholarly, Pickwiclian sense. .''-Ney York Mail and Express.